Tab lock for slide-fasteners



Dec. 8, 1959 c. H. HEWITT, JR

TAB FOR SLIDE-FASTENERS Filed Dec. 14, 1956 Hen/i265 (/1:

n e m INVENTOR 2,915,798 TAB LOCK non SLIDE-FASTENERS Chester H. Hewitt, Jr., Austin, Tex. Application December 14, 1956, Serial N... 628,409

'2 Claims. (Cl. 24-20511) This invention relates to the well known slide-fasteners of the type having a slider to engage and disengage the interlocking elements thereof, manually; operated by a handle or tab mounted on the slider front,

1 The principal object of the present invention is to improve such fasteners, particularly with respect to providing more reliable and effective means for holding the slide in .proper position at the end of its upward tra-yeL;

Another object of the presentinven'tion is to provide slide holding means which at the same time will hold the upper portion of each of the two interlocking element-supporting strips in normal position under the upturned tab when the slider has been moved to its uppermost position. This eliminates the lateral parting strain on the strips which otherwise forces down the slider, opening the fastener.

Another object is to provide a tab arranged to engage and disengage each strip separately at points opposite each other on a line at right angle to the principal axis of the tab. Eccentric connections between the tab and the strips cause lateral or crosswise strains which twist, bulge, or pull the strips and material to which they are sewed out of alignment and generally out of normal closed position. Where the tab is detachably secured to but one of the strips, the results are much worse. In other instances, the tab has a connection to each of the strips but arranged one above the other, causing all lateral strain to act eccentrically with results mentioned above. Still ,other arrangements depend partially or wholly upon independent means such as buttons, clasps, and hooks for holding the upper portion of the strips and the material to which the fastener is attached) in normal position. It is to be particularly noted that in the present invention, the tab holding means is independent of all other fastening means generally used on garments, especially in the belt portion thereof. Hence, it can be used to particular advantage on wearing apparel because no other fastening means need be provided.

Another object of the invention is to provide a tab arranged for releasable engagement with the top portion of the slider to prevent tipping of the slider when under vertical strain. Vertical strain on the tab in its uppermost position depresses the top part of the slider inwardly of the fabric surface, causing a depression or concave roll in the fabric at each side of the slider which detracts considerably from the appearance of the fabric, particularly so when it is a garment.

However, in instances where vertical strain is not normally present and not likely to occur, releasable engaging means between the tab and top portion of the slider can be omitted to lower the cost.

Other objects will appear from the description given below when considered in connection with the drawing accompanying this application, which drawing shows the preferred form constructed in accordance with the invention.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the invention.

. 2 v r I 2 is a front view showing the tab turned downwardly and the fastener partly-open.

Fig. '3 shows the fastener entirely closed with tab in its uppermost position and secured to both of the fastene strips.

Fig. 4 is a side elevational view of the fastener with tab and tab securing means.

Continuing now with a more detailed description of the invention, reference numeral 10, Fig. l, designates a.

conventional slide fastener consisting of the interlocking elements 11, 12, mounted on the supportlng strips I 3, 14, respectively. The slider 15, having the top portion 16, and the bottom portion 17, is arranged to move over,

the said interlocking elements above and below, and lengthwise of said slide fastener to lock and unlock sald 1 interlocking elements in accordance with the direction in which said slider is moved. A tab 18, having a front face 19 and a back face 20, is pivotally mounted on said top portion 16, of said slider, said tab carrying an extension 21, which frictionally engages the raised part 22, formed in said top portion of said slider, to holdsaid tab in upward position. The snap fasteners 23, 24, are arranged in conjunction with said tab and said slidefastener strips, to releasably secure said tab to said strips. The extension-pieces 25, 26, of said snap fasteners are mounted on said back face of said tab in alignment with each other on a common center line at right angle to the principal axis of said tab and spaced equally therefrom. The socket parts 27, 28 of said snap-fasteners are mounted, one on each of said slide-fasteners strips, arranged to engage said snap-fastener extension pieces when said tab is moved to its uppermost position and pressed firmly against said strips, the end portions of said strips being moved slightly as may be necessary and held momentarily to facilitate and promote said engagement. Thus, the said strips and the garment or material to which the slide fastener is attached, are held in normally aligned position up to the points at which the snap connections are located and at the same time the tab is secured in its uppermost position. Consequently, the strain, especially lateral strain, caused by the ordinary motion of the garment wearer, cannot move the tab downwardly to open the slide-fastener.

A third snap fastener is provided in conjunction with said tab and the upper portion of said slider to releasably secure said upper portion of said slider to said tab. The

extension piece 29, of said third snap fastener is mounted on the back face 20, of the tab 18, and the receiving recess piece 30, is mounted on the top of said slider near its upper edges in alignment to receive said extension piece 29, when the tab is turned upwardly and pressed against said slider. This coupling of the tab with the slider holds the slider against tipping where the tab is in its uppermost position and subject to a vertical strain keeping the fabric smooth. In present slide-fasteners, the slider tips under vertical strain causing a concave roll or wrinkle in the fabric laterally at each side, which users of present slide fasteners consider highly objectionable.

Precisely, the invention comprises providing detachable means for joining said tab to said slide-fastener strips (or the material to which the strips are sewn or permanently attached) in alignment with each other on a line substantially at right angle with the principal axis of the slide-fastener; and detachable means for joining the slider of said slide-fastener to said tab when said tab is turned upwardly and pressed against said slider, for the purposes described. This concludes the descrip tion of the invention.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made in the I Patented Dec. 8,1959

form illustrated and described herein without departing from the invention, and it is intended that the specifications and appended claims include such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a slide-fastener having interlocking elements supported on strips, including a slider movable over said interlocking elements to engage and disengage them, to close and open said fastener, and a tab swing mounted on said slider, at least two snap-fasteners mounted on said tab and said strips, one principal engaging element of each snap-fastener being arranged on each of said strips respectively, the other engaging element of each snap-fastener being arranged on the back of said tab, said snap-fastener engaging elements being mounted in alignment on said tab and said strips respecively at right angle to the principal axis of said slide-fastener to register with each other for engagement to secure said tab in its uppermost position and hold said strips in normal position when said slide-fastener and said snap-fasteners are closed; and at least one snap-fastener mounted on said tab and said slider, one principal engaging element thereof being mounted on the top of said slider near its upper edge, the other principal engaging element thereof being mounted on the back face of said tab.

2. In a slide-fastener having interlocking elements supported on strips, including a slider movable over said interlocking elements to engage and disengage them, to close and open said fastener, and a tab swing mounted on said slider, separable means mounted on said slidefastener for connecting said tab independently to each of said strips, to secure said tab in its uppermost position when said slide-fastener is closed, and to hold said strips in normal position, said separable means being mounted in alignment at right angle to the principal axis of said slide-fastener to counteract any lateral parting strain upon Said strips which may arise; and at least one snap-fastener mounted on said tab and said slider, one principal engaging element thereof being mounted on the top of said slider near its upper edge, the other principal engaging element thereof being mounted on the back face of said tab.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,903,415 Greenberg Apr. 4, 1933 2,158,398 Bryant May 16, 1939 2,383,197 Johnson Aug. 21, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS 400,015 Great Britain Oct. 19, 1933 

